Sealed coupling



w. w. MEYER f 2,331,615 YSEALED QOUPLING oct. 12, 1943.

Filed June 22, 1942 Patented y0711i. l2, 1943 i I .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l anims saam comme walter w. Meyer, Arlington neunte, m., assigner to Rotary Seal Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation of Illinois Application June 22, 1942, Serial No. 447,917

1a claims. (ci. zata-91.3)

My invention relates in general to seals and casing with respect to the pipe on which it is 'sealing and has more particular reference to the mounted.

provision of'means for sealing relatively rotat- These and numerous other important objects.

able, interconnected conduit forming members advantages, and inherent functions oi the ln-` whereby to provide a sealed rotatable coupling for veution will be fully understood from the followfluid conduits; and the present application coming description, which, taken in connection with prises a continuation in part of my copending ,the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred application Serial No. 279,295, led June 15, 1939, embodiment of the invention. for improvements in Seal. Referring to the drawing:

An important object of the present invention 1o Figure 1 is asectional view through sealed f is to provide for sealing a pipe or conduit within Y delivery means embodying my present invention;

a casing or shell, while providing for relatively Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating a modirotary movement between the pipe and the casned form of the invention; ing in order to produce a tumable coupling ior Figure 3 is a sectional view showing another fluid conduits. d 16 form of the invention; and

Another' important object is to provide im- Figure 4 is an -assembly view showing, in perproved means, sealed against leakage, for inspective, parts forming the seall employedl in the troducing liquid or other uids Ito rotating elestructuresA shown in Figures l, 2, and 3. Y y

ments from relatively stationary iluld 'supply To illustrate the invention, I have shown on mains; a still further object being to provide for 20 the drawing sealed delivery means Il compristhe delivery of cooling liquid, such as water, from ing a rotatable coupling through which iluid may a stationary main into a rotating element, such be delivered between relatively rotatable elevtion thereof.

as a drum or roller to be cooled. ments, such as' a fluid main and a receiver I3.

Another important object resides in providing In the illustrated embodiment 'the receiver Il a sealed coupling of the character described for comprises a hollow 'drum having cylindrical wall delivering uid between relative rotatable strucportions I5 and end walls I1, the drum being tures forming a supply source and a receiver, said suitably supported for rotary movement, as in coupling ,comprising a pair of cooperating' relabearings. 'l tively rotatable members including a pipe or My present invention proposes an improved,

conduit member extending Awithin a casing or simpliiied coupling for delivering iluid,` such as shell member, one member being adapted to cooling water, to therotatable receiver from av receive fluid from the supply source and the stationary fluid supply source; `and it will be other adapted to deliver uid to the receiver, obvious, of course, that the present invention is wherein annular sealing means through which not in any 'wayrestricted to the construction of the pipe extends within the casing is employed the eceiver or the manner in whichit is mountto form a liquid tight seal between the pipe and v ed l'or rotation.v casing memberswhile permitting relative rota- The coupling of my present invention preferably Vcomprises a pipe or conduit 2| and a hous- A further object is to provide coupling meansqy ing or casing 21 having a preferably cylindrical for delivering uid between relatively rotating 40 cavity receiving one end of the pipe, the'othe'r elements, including a delivery casing, and means end of which projects outwardly of the casing to seal the casing upon a pipe or conduit, inthrough `an opening therein. Either the casing cluding `bearing means for supporting the casor the pipe may be connected with the re' river ing and the pipe for turning movement, the one in coaxial alignment with. the axis ,oi rotation with respect to the other. f l 45 of the receiver, although in the illustrated em- Another important object resides inthe pro,` bodiments I have shown the preferred ,arrangey vision of means for journaling thepipeewithin mentI in whichthe pipe-2l `is connected with the casing to permit relative turning movement the receiver. The coupling Il maybeconnected between pipe and casing; la further object being with the receiver Viny any suitableiashion, as by,

to utilize the bearing meansin combination with 5o forming the projecting end oi?V the pipe with seal yelements inthe 'casing for the purpose of screw threads 23 adapted to sealingly fit-into a sealing the ysaine around the pipe..v l l threaded openingformed in the receiver I3. Ad-

Another `important object is to provide selfv jacent its threaded end the plpemayv be formed aligning seal means 'affording adequate sealing with attened portions 26 forming a'means for at all times, regardless of relative wobble of the gripping the pipe, as with a wrench or other tool,

course, be connected with the iiuid supply source.

The end of the pipe 2| extends within the casing and communicates with a fluid receiving chamber 29 formed within the casing. The casing is formed internally with means forming an annular shoulder 3| between the chamber 29 and the opening through which the pipe 2| extends, said shoulder facing towards said opening. The means forming the shoulder 3 I encloses an opening 33 into which the end of the pipe 2| extends in position communicating directly with the chamber 29.

Where the coupling is used with the pipe 2| connected to the receiver I5, the casing may be connected to the liquid supply source by suitable conduit means connected with the casing and opening into the chamber 29 at the boss 35. The casing 21 preferably has an additional boss 31 containing a threaded opening into the chamber 29 in a direction radially of the axis of the pipe 2 I, so that a fluid supply conduit 39 Vmay be connected with the chamber 29 in either of the bosses 35 or 31, the opening in the unused boss, of course, being suitably plugged with a threaded stopper, or supply conduits may be connected withboth bosses, if desired.

As shown in Figure 1, the conduit means 39 comprises a stub pipe 4I tightly threaded in the embossment 31 and having an outwardly projecting portion in position to receive a preferably fiexible hose 43, one end of which is secured, as by a suitable clamp 45, upon the projecting end of the stub pipe 4I, the other end of the hose 43 being connected with a fluid supply source, such as a stationary water main.

Liquid delivered into the chamber 29 from a fluid supply source through the bosses 35 or '31, or, through both bosses, may escape thence through the pipe 2| and into the receiver I3. Likewise, liquid delivered through the pipe 2| into the chamber 29, when the pipe 2| is connected with a iiuid supply source, may escape from the chamber through conduits connected in either or both of the bosses 35 and 31.

In order to seal against the escape of liquid from the casing through the opening around the pipe 2|, sealing the casing around the pipe and for journaling the pipe within the casing'to allow for relative rotation of the pipe and casing.

It will be noted that, by thus journaling the casing on the pipe 2|, the casing 21 will be en-y tirely supported and sustained in position on the pipe when the same is connected with the rotary receiver I5; and if the casing is connected directly with the receiver, then the pipe will be entirely supported by the casing. In either case, both the pipe and the casing are supported by the receiver to which the coupling is attached.

The casing is thus able to follow any eccentric movement imparted to the pipe during rotation as a result of faulty alignment of the pipe with respect to the axis of rotation of the receiver, or inaccuracies of the bearings on which the I provide in the casing 21 means for l receiver is supported. The arrangement thus conduit within the casing 21 and eliminates the difculties of sealing the pipe in the casing.

'Ifo journal and seal the casing 21 upon the pipe 2|, I provide seal means comprising a pair of spaced apart bearings 5| mounted within the casing, the pipe 2| being turnably supported 'by and within said bearings. The bearings 5| may comprise a pair of bearing sleeves 55, as shown in Figure l, or may comprise a pair of roller bearings 15, as shown in Figure 3, or I may use a sleeve bearing 55 in combination with a roller bearing 15,' as shown in Figure 2. In each case the spaced bearings serve to support the pipe 2| against eccentric wobble within the casing.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sleeve bearings 5| each comprise a cylindrical portion having an annular outstanding ange 51 formed integrally with the cylindrical portion of the bearing at one end thereof. The outer diameter of the cylindrical bearing member 55 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening 33, while the inside diameter of said bearings 55 is such that the same may snugly engage and form a journal for the outer surfaces of the pipe 2|.

A journal element 5| is assembled with its cylindrical portion 55 extending within the opening 33 in position supporting the inner end of the pipe 2|, with a resilient gasket 53 received between the annular ange 51 and the shoulder 3| whereby the bearing element is resiliently supported in the casing by the resilient mounting gasket 53.

In Figure 1 of the drawing I have illustrated a seal embodying two bearing elements 5| mounted on the pipe 2| with the flanged ends 51 of the bearing elements in spaced apart adjacent relationship. The pipe 2| is formed with an outstanding annular iiange 59 spaced from the inner end of the pipe a distance equal to the length of a bearing element 55 so that the flange 59 extends between andbears upon the adjacent ends of the elements 5|. The flange 59, being thus received between the flanged ends of the bearing elements 5|, forms a`thrust bearing preventing axial movement of the pipe 2| within the bearings 5|.y

I prefer, also, to provide a spacing ring 6| of any suitable, preferably metallic, material extending between the peripheral edges o the flanges 51, the ring 6| and the peripheral edges of said flanges 51 tting snugly within the walls of the casing. The cylindrical portion of the bearing 5I remote from the casing enclosed end of the pipe carries a resilient gasket 53 which extends between said cylindrical portion of the bearing and the inner surface of the casing adjacent the flange 51 of said bearing element. This resilient gasket is held in place between the flanged 'end of the bearing element and a holding ring 63 of any suitable material. Both of the bearing elements 5| are thus mounted resiliently within the casing 21 by means of the yielding packing elements 53, which preferably comprise rubber-like material, such as neoprene, which is a rubber substitute. packing elements and the spacing and retaining elements 6I and 63 are held in place with the packing elements under slight compression by means of a retaining sleeve 55 which presses upon the retaining ring 63, said sleeve 65 fitting within thel open end of the ycasing and being held in place by an annular cap ring 61 which is applied to the end of the housing and held in'place in The bearing and resilient only onel resiliently mounted bearing element is employed. 'I'his bearing element is disposedin the opening 33 at 4the end of the pipe 2| in; position. supporting the end of the pipe, with a resilient gasket 53 disposed around the cylindrical portion of the bearing element 5| between the flange 51 thereof and the seat forming shoulder 3|, The pipe 2|, however, is formed with a seat 1| and the casing with a corresponding seat 18 for receiving a roller thrust bearing in the end of the casing. This bearing 15 is retained in place by a cap ring 11 secured in any suitable fashion, as by the holding screws 15 at the end of the casing.

As shown in Figure 3, the shoulder 3i forms a' thus maintained in spaced relationship betweenthe seat 3| andthe holding ring 18 by means of a spacing ring 8| similar to the spacing ring 8|.

In each of the embodiments illustrated, leakage from the chamber 28 through the casing around lthe pipe 2| is prevented by means of a'seal assembly 82, which is mounted on the pipe in position to form a running seal with seat forming means 80 secured in the casing. The seat forming means 88, in the Figure 1 embodiment, comprises the annular end surface of the bearing 5| facing the open end of the casing. In the Figure 2 embodiment the seat forming means comprises the annular end of the bearing member 5| facing toward the roller bearing 15. In the Figure 3 embodiement, the seat forming means 88 comprises a disc having a central opening surrounded by an annular seat forming rib, the peripheral edges and being supported on the shoulder 3| by means of a resilient mounting gasket 53.

In each embodiment leakage through the casing outwardly of the seat forming means 80 is prevented by the resilient mounting gaskets 58, which being under slight compression, form fluid tight seals, at the same time resiliently mounting the seat forming means 88 in self-aligning fashion. Leakage outwardly of the pipe through 'the seat forming means 80 is prevented by the seal assembly 82, which in the Figure -1 embodiment, is mounted on the pipe between the seat forming end of the outer bearing 5| and retaining means 91 on the pipe 2|, said retaining means comprising a collar secured on the pipe by means of a fastening ring 83.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the seal assembly 82 is mounted on the pipe 2| between the outer seat forming end of the bearing element 5| and a retaining collar 81 which abuts a roller bearing 15,- which in turn is retained in its seat 1| on the pipe by a retaining ring 83. In the em'- bodiment illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing, the seal assembly 82 is mounted on the inner end of the pipe 2| between the seat forming surface' .of the disc 80 and the retaining collar 91, which such as neoprene, the gasket 88 having a cylindrical portion 81 adapted to snugly and frictionally engage and grip the outer surface of the lpipe 2|. The gasket 85-a1so has a preferably integral portion 88 forming an annular outstanding flange at the end of the'cylindrical portion 81 in position to overlie the. back of the ring 84 to form a seal therewith.

The sealing elements 84 and 85 are preferably, although not essentially, secured together in a fashion to prevent relative rotation therebetween. To this endl provide a preferably sheet metal retaining shell 8| having a cylindrical portion adapted to embrace the peripheral surfaces of the ring 84 and the ange 88 of the gasket. The shell 8| has an inwardly extending ange 88 adapted to overlie the back of the flange 88. 'I'he ange 83 of the retaining shell serves as a seat 'or bearing plate for receiving the thrust of one end o f a spring 85 which encircles the pipe 2| and bears at one end upon the back of the ange 88 through the flange 88. 'I'he opposite end of the spring 85 bears upon the retaining collar 81A which is held in place upon the pipe 2| by means of the holding ring 88 in the Figure 1 and Figure 3 embodiments and by abutment with the inner race ofthe bearing 15 in the Figure 2 embodiment, said inner race in turn being, secured in position by the holding ring 88.

It'will be noted that the resilient sealing gasket 85 has a substantially L-shaped configuration and that the force ofthe spring 85 is applied to the outer or peripheral portions of the flange 88,

which may thus have a substantially diaphragm action to yieldingly support the ring 84 in positionto form a running seal with the seat 88.

In order to increase the sealing effect of the cylindrical gasket portion 81 upon the outer surfaces of the pipe 2|,.a holding band 89 may be applied thereon to squeeze the same tightly upon It will be seenv from the'foregoing that I have provided adequate spaced bearing means for journaling the casing 21 with respect to the pipe 2|, and that I have provided for sealing the assembly against fluid leakage by providing resilientissecured on the inner end of the pipe bythe rerunning vseal with the seat 80. 'I'he seal also comprises an annular sealing gasketof preferly mounted meansforming the seal seat in the casing in position to cooperate with the seal ring 84 yieldingly maintained on the pipe by means of the gasket 85 and normally urged into seating engagement with the means 80 under the influence of the spring 85. Leakage of liquid through the casing around the .seat forming means 80 is prevented by the resilient gaskets 53, and leakage Lalong the pipe through the seat forming means less of relative wobble of the casing with respect tothe pipe, by virtue of the yielding support afforded the ring 84 and the seat forming means 88 by the resilient rubber-like gaskets 5.8 and 88.

It =is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully unis obvious'that' numerous changes may be made in thform, construction andarrangement of the v'asA several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of ably soft, flexible, rubber-like sealing material,-

Y its attendant advantagesfthe form herein dispurpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A seal for coupling a pipe and a casing having a cavity dened by cylindrical Wall surfaces within the casing and enclosing an end of the pipe, comprising a pai'il of spaced apart sleeve bearings securable within the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising flange portions adapted to fit within the cylindrical walls of the cavity and pipe supportlng sleeve portions, annular seat forming means carried by one of said bearing members in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring adapted for mounting upon the pipe in position to seat upon and form a running seal with the annular seat, and resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe to drivingly connect and seal the same together.

2. A seal for coupling a pipe and a. casing having a cavity defined by cylindrical wall surfaces within the casing and enclosing an end of the pipe, comprising a pair of spaced apart bearings annular seal ring adapted for mounting upon the pipe between said bearings in position to seat A upon and forma running seal with the annular seat, and resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe to drivingly connect and seal the same together.

3. A seal for coupling a pipe and a casing havlng a cavity defined by cylindrical wall surfaces within the casing and enclosing an end of the pipe, comprising a pair of .spaced apart bearings securable within the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising annular mounting means adapted to t Within the cylindrical walls of the cavity and a pipe supporting portion carried within said mounting means, annular seat forming means supportable in said casing by one of said bearing members in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring adapted for mounting upon said pipe in position toseat upon and form a running seal with the annular seat, resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe. to drivingly connect; and seal the same together, and a resilient mounting ring for yieldingly supporting and sealing the seat forming means in said casing.

4:. A seal for coupling a pipe and a casing having a cavity defined by cylindrical wall surfaces within the casing and enclosing an end of the pipe, comprising a pair of spaced apart bearings securable within the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising annular mounting means adapted to fit within the cylindrical walls of the cavity and a pipe supporting portion carried within said mounting means, annular seat forming means supportable in said casing by one of said bearing members in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring adapted for mounting upon said pipe in position to seat upon and form a running seal with the annular seat, and resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe to drivingly connect and seal the same together, said gasket having a tubular portion encircling and gripping the pipe adjacent tbe seal ring and an integral annular flange portion engaging the seal ring.

5. A seal for coupling a pipe and a casing having a cavity defined by cylindrical wall surfaces within the casing and enclosing an end of the pipe, comprising a pair of spaced apart bearings securable within the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising annular mounting means adapted to iit within the cylindrical walls of the cavity and a pipe supporting portion carried within said mounting means, annular seat forming means supportable in said casing by one oi said bearing members in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring adapted for mounting upon said pipe in position to seat upon and form a running seal with the annular seat, resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe to drivingly connect and seal the some together, said gasket having a tubular portion encircling and gripping the pipe adjacent the seal ring and an integral annular fiange portion engaging the seal ring, and spring means yieldingly pressing the fiange portion of the gasket sealingly upon said seal ring.

6. A sealed coupling comprising a pipe and a casing having a cavity enclosing an end of said pipe, said cavity being defined by cylindrical wall surfaces in said casing and having a pipe receiving end opening outwardly of the casing,'a pair of spaced apart bearings secured in the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising outer annular mounting means fitting within the cylindrical wall surfaces of the cavity and an inner pipe supporting portion, annular seat forming means supported in said casing by one of said bearings in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring mounted on said pipe in position to seat upon and form a running seal with said annular seat, and resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe to drivingly connect and seal the same together, said bearings, seat forming means and the spacing ring being secured in the cavity by and between a clamping ring on the casing at the open end of the cavity and an annular shoulder formed on the casing in the cavity in position spaced from and facing toward said open end of the cavity.

7. A sealed coupling comprising a pipe and a casing having a cavity enclosing an end of said pipe, said cavity being defined by cylindrical wall surfaces in said casing and having a pipe receiving end opening outwardly of the casing, a pair of spaced apart bearings secured in the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising outer annular mounting means fitting within the cylindrical wall surfaces of the cavity and an inner pipe supporting portion, annular seat forming means supported in said casing by one of said bearings in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring mounted on said pipe in position to seat upon and form a running seal with said annular seat, resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe to drivingly connect and seal the same together, said bearings, seat forming means and the spacing ring being secured in the cavity by and between a surfaces in saidcasing and having a pipe receiving end opening outwardly of the casing, a

' pair of spaced apart bearings secured in the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising outer annular mounting means fitting within the cylindrical Wall surfaces of the cavity and an inner pipe supporting portion, annular seat forming means supported in said casing by one of said bearings in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring mounted on said pipe in position to seat upon and form a running seal with said annular seat, and resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe to drivingly connect and seal the same together, said seat forming means comprising a plate having outer edges supported in' the casing by one of the bearings and a central opening surrounding the pipe, the plate carrying the seal seat in position to receive the seal ring.

9. A sealed coupling comprising a pipe and a casing having a cavity enclosing an end of said pipe, said cavity being dened by cylindrical wall surfaces in said casing and having a pipe receiving end opening outwardly of the casing, a pair of spaced apart bearings secured in the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising outer annular mounting means ttingwithin the cylindrical Wall surfaces of the cavity and an inner pipe supporting portion, annular seat forming means supported in said casing by one of said bearings in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring mounted on said pipe in position to seat upon and form a' running seal with said annular seat, and resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe to drivingly connect and seal the same together, said seat forming means comprising a plate having outer edges supported in the casing by one of the bearings and a central opening'surrounding the pipe, the plate carrying the seal seat in position to receive the seal ring, said seal ring being disposed on they pipe on' the side of the platek remote from said bearings.

an annular seal seat around said pipe. an annular seal ring mounted on said pipe in position to seat upon and' form a running seal with said annular seat, and resilient gasket means friction,- ally engaging the seal ring and said pipe to drivingly connect and seal the same together. said seat forming means comprising a plate having outer edges supported in the casing by one of the bearings and a central opening surroundingthe pipe, the plate carrying the-seal seat in position to receive the seal ring, said seal being disposed at the enclosed end -of said pipe on the side of the plate remote from said bearings.

11. A sealed coupling comprising a pipe and a casing having a cavity enclosing an end of said pipe, said cavity being defined by cylindrical wall surfaces in said casing and having ar pipe .receiving end opening outwardly of the casing,

a pair of spaced apart bearings secured in the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising .outer annular vmounting means iltting within the cylindrical wall surfaces of the cavity andl an inner pipe supporting portion, annular seat forming means on the inner pipe supporting portions of one of said bearings in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring mounted on said pipe in position to seat upon and form a running seal with said annular seat, and resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and s aid pipe to ldrivingly connect and seal the same together.

12 A sealed coupling comprising a pipe and a casing having a cavity enclosing yan vend of said pipe, said cavity being deilned by cylindrical wall surfaces in said casing and having a pipe :re--

ceiving end opening outwardly of the casing, a pair of spaced apart bearings secured in the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising outer annular mounting 4means fitting within the cylindrical wall surfaces of the seat, and resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and saidpipe to drivingly connect and seal the same together, said gasket comprising a tubular portion encircling and gripping 'the pipe adjacent the seal ring and an in.

tegral annular flange portion engaging the seal ring.

13. A sealed coupling comprising a pipe and a casing having a cavity enclosing an end of said y pipe, said cavity being deilned by cylindrical wall surfaces in said -casing and having a pipe receiving end opening outwardly of the casing, a pair of spaced apart bearings secured in the cavity in position encircling the pipe, said bearings each comprising outer annular mounting means ilttinc within the cylindrical wall surfaces of the cavity and an inner pipe supporting portion, annular seat forming means supported in said casing by one of said bearings in position forming an annular seal seat around said pipe, an annular seal ring mounted on said pipe in position to seat upon and form a running seal with said annular seat, resilient gasket means frictionally engaging the seal ring and said pipe todrivingly connect and seal the same together, said gasketcomprising a tubular portion encircling and gripping the said cage including an inturned rim overlying the I ring remote face .of said flange portion of the Basket.

WALTER W. 

